Sharon Shannon at Arden Theatre
Accordionist and fiddle player Sharon Shannon has always pushed the boundaries of traditional Irish music. For many she has been a huge inspiration melding folk music with reggae, Cajun, hip hop, Portuguese and French Canadian music.
The genre-defying recording artist makes the Arden Theatre the last stop on her U.S.-Canada tour. Along with Jim Murray (acoustic guitar/vocals) and Alan Connor (piano/electric guitar/percussion/vocals) providing support, Shannon will host a special St. Patrick’s Day party at the Arden Theatre on March 17.
Her 1991 self-titled Sharon Shannon album is listed as the best-selling album of traditional Irish music ever released. To date she has released more than 14 albums.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5 St. Anne Street. Tickets for the concert are $40 plus facility and are available at 459-1542 or online at ticketmaster.ca.
Before the white man
Edmonton was only given its name after British colonists came west. Prior to that it was known as Amiskwaci Waskihegan (Beaver Hills House).
According to native storytellers, for 11,000 years the bend along the North Saskatchewan River was a gathering spot for traders of goods, services and stories.
Folk Lordz and Fort Edmonton Park present the inaugural Stories on the Hills, an inspirational evening of Cree, Blackfoot, Nakota and Métis traditions and performances.
Elder Jerry Saddleback Sr. opens the evening with a welcoming prayer followed by an evening of indigenous artistry.
Inuk Tiffany Ayalik and Métis Greyson Gritt fuse old world sounds with present day flare combining throat singing and rock melodies.
First Nations hoop dancer Arik Pipestem, a choreographer-dancer who has performed with Cirque du Soleil and So You Think You Can Dance Canada, gives a sampling of her footwork.
Lana Whiskeyjack creates a painting live on stage using inspiration from the evening’s storytellers while several stand-up comics weave the indigenous experience into improv comedy.
The show starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.fortedmontonpark.ca.
